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Syrian protests planned Friday as military cordons off cities

Arab World Materials 6 May 2011 13:24 (UTC +04:00)

Security and military units were out in force across several Syrian cities as activists called for nationwide protests to demand reform after Friday mid-day prayers, DPA reported.

Human Rights Watch called on Syria's government to "immediately lift its 10-day siege of the southern town of Daraa and allow movement in and out of the city."

Syrian rights groups said at least 62 people were killed across the country in protests last Friday.

In Daraa, residents said electricity was cut and phone lines and internet services severed.

A Daraa resident reached by Human Rights Watch on a satellite phone indicated that the military was still restricting movement into the town, including the import of essential food and medicine items.

"The Syrian government is collectively punishing the residents of Daraa because some demonstrators from the town dared protest against it," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

Protests demanding greater freedoms and reforms began mid-March, with the opposition saying the death toll has topped 600.

Syrian human rights groups have issued a list containing the names of more than 350 individuals who have died in Daraa alone.

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